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April 05, 2021 | Tom Ballard

Chattanooga 1MC Chapter announces new leadership team, weekly gatherings

With a new leadership team in place, Chattanooga’s 1 Million Cups (1MC) is reenergized with weekly sessions being held.

The local group announced yesterday that it is now holding one-hour gatherings at 9 a.m. each Wednesday. For now, those connection sessions are being held virtually via Zoom due to COVID-19, but they will eventually be in person on the 5th floor of The Edney building at 1100 Market Street.

The Chattanooga Chapter is part of the national 1MC program launched by the Kauffman Foundation and based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. The free, weekly gathering helps build start-up communities on a grassroots level.

Leading the renewed effort in Chattanooga are: (1) Aram Perez, Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Tinkering Officer of The STEAM Train; (2) Kirk Burton, CEO of Tight Loop Solutions; (3) Lya Kimbrough, Events & Outreach Manager at The Enterprise Center; (4) Nicole McDermid, Owner and Behavior Specialist of Recess for Dogs; and (5) Zac Beker, Programs Administrator at CO.LAB.

The group is also planning a town hall beginning at 9 a.m. May 12.

The 1MC model is consistent in each city. Every Wednesday morning, one or more early stage start-ups present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisers and other entrepreneurs. Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.

“1 Million cups is a great way to get feedback on your business idea or venture from the people in your community,” Kimbrough said. “If you’re struggling with a problem or just want advice on which way you should take your business this group is a great way to do get those answers”

Click here for more information on the Chattanooga1MC Chapter.



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